Recognizing and treating an atypical case of Kawasaki disease

It was a Saint Paddy’s Day that Jake and his mother, Nancy O’Connor, will never forget. While everyone else was sporting green, Jake’s skin and tongue started turning red, and the whites of his eyes eventually turned yellow. It was a medical problem that eventually led him to Boston Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with an atypical case of Kawasaki disease, a rare condition that can cause a rash, red eyes and mouth, and other inflammatory symptoms.  Most importantly, Kawasaki disease can lead to serious complications of the heart, especially if not treated in time. Difficult diagnosis Jake woke up that March morning not feeling well. His skin was itchy and irritated, his tongue was swollen and his forehead was hot to the touch. Being a nurse and mother, Nancy has seen her fair share of flus, colds and stomach bugs—but the moment she laid eyes on her son Nancy knew there was something more seriously wrong with Jake. “He looked so terrible, like he wasn’t even himself,” she says. “I wasn’t sure what was wrong, but something told me this wasn’t your typical childhood illness. Something very different, and very bad, was happening to Jake.” Nancy took her son to a pediatrician, but Jake’s doctor was far less worried than his mother. After a quick physical exam the doctor told Nancy not to worry—her son had probably just come down a virus, which was very common for that time of year. He prescrib...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: All posts Heart Center Jane Newburger Kawasaki disease Kawasaki Disease Program our patients' stories Source Type: news